Considering a purchase - Current deals, CVT longevity?

**Ares** · 05-14-2014, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by cookiemonster

I just wouldn't push the engine & cvt to the redline if I ever load the car down to its limits while climbing or starting from a full stop.

Interesting that you brought that up...

I was in the restroom a few days ago and had thought of this. I was told (or read here) that CVT equipped engines actually restrict RPMs to some low(er) number than engines with 5spd trannys.

I have only driven one vehicle with CVT and it was a nissan versa hatch. IIRC, no matter how much you press on the gas pedal, it always 'hovered' at 6k rpms (a few thousand rpms below redline).

With that said, the engine will NEVER give the transmission 100% power. Mostly because for some of these cars, peak power is made close to the redline. Now torque is a different issue as max torque usually hits mid rpm range.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

**grsupercity** · 05-14-2014, 07:52 PM

I rented a nissan sentra, and going 80 down the highway it was around 1800 rpm. never seemed to get it pass 4000 rpm

**cookiemonster** · 05-14-2014, 08:09 PM

Yes, peak torque is not necessarily achieved at the highest rpm ... but I don't know how much is or isn't restricted from the Mirage's CVT

**Mikhail** · 05-14-2014, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Ares

That's sad that high speed continuous driving is frowned upon. Good thing I got a 5spd then.

Most, if not all automatics I've owned have a tranny oil cooler - or lines from the tranny that go to the bottom of the radiator. Does the CVT not have something similar?

Not sure if the Mirage is equipped with the CVT cooler, but it's supposed to be. (Could anyone check? It is usually located behind the front fog light on the driver's side).
The car will have no problem with overheating in normal condition if CVT is flushed regularly.

the video with 2009 Rouge: the car has 118k miles and it's highly probable that the owner hasn't flushed the CVT fluid. If he does, then the problem will disappear.

**Ares** · 05-14-2014, 09:58 PM

^ Which is why good maintenance is key for a happy car.

**Mikhail** · 05-17-2014, 04:34 AM

^ absolutely. If anyone is scared of the CVT, just don't be. The CVT is a good transmission, much more reliable than most of the automatics, you just need to know what you are dealing with.